Tip Top Trading is the fastest-growing company in the plastic fruit sector, and Anna desperately wants to be a part of it. Her job interview for a position in sales is going to be a challenge. How will she cope?

Language for interviews

This programme focuses on useful language for job interviews.

Phrases from the programme:

• A good example that comes to mind...
• I’m particularly proud of...
• Timekeeping is important to me.

Listening Challenge

Anna’s job interview continues. But with all the pressure and stress, she has frozen mid-sentence, unable to find the right word in English for what she wants to say.

Structuring answers

The programme looks at useful phrases for structuring answers in a job interview.

Phrases from the programme:

• Firstly, this job is an ideal match for my skills and experience.
• Secondly,…
• Above all, the reason I want this job is…

Listening Challenge

Denise explains why she’s in such a state of panic and Paul is not pleased. Will Anna be able to help resolve the crisis?

Language for making suggestions

This episode explores language for making suggestions.

Phrases from the programme:

• Can I make a suggestion?
• Why don’t you try…?
• Have you tried asking your colleagues?
• Maybe I could do a big office search for you…?
• How about looking through your rubbish bin…?
• I have an idea!

Listening Challenge

Anna is determined to be friendly with her new colleagues and to make a good impression. Unfortunately, a slight misunderstanding leads her to make an embarrassing mistake.

Introducing yourself

This episode explores expressions you can use to introduce yourself and make small talk in the office.

Phrases from the programme:

• Hello, I don’t think we’ve met.
• You must be Tom.
• I’ve just joined the team.
• Nice to meet you!
• Have you worked here long?

Listening Challenge

Anna is still getting used to how things work in her new job. She turns to her colleagues to ask for help, but upsets Denise by sounding too bossy.

Language for polite requests

This episode explores language you can use to make polite requests.

Phrases from the programme:

• I was wondering if you could do something for me…
• Would you be able to print out a file for me?
• Could I have it within ten minutes please?
• Could you possibly help me with the printer?
• Would you mind writing your email later?

Listening Challenge

It’s chaos at Tip Top Trading. Tom is in a panic and needs help! He has arranged more meetings than he can cope with and is going to have to face some unhappy clients. Anna decides to step in and help.

Language for offering help

This episode explores language for offering help.

Phrases from the programme:

• Is there anything I can do?
• Let me help.
• Can I give you a hand?
• Give me a shout if you need anything.
• I have an idea!

Listening Challenge

Mr Lime is not happy. He ordered grapefruit from Tip Top Trading, but he got pineapples. Time to say sorry! Anna has to apologise and sort everything out. How embarrassing!

Apologising

This episode explores language for apologising.

Phrases from the programme:

• I’m really sorry to hear that.
• That’s totally unacceptable.
• It must have been very inconvenient for you.
• You have my word that we will sort this out.
• And we could include some of our latest-edition imitation oranges to make up for the inconvenience.
• I promise you, it won’t happen again.

Listening Challenge

The boss isn’t happy with Tom! But Anna is told ‘Well done!’ Find out what words he uses to give Anna the praise she deserves…

Language for giving praise

This episode explores language for giving praise.

Phrases from the programme:

• Well done.
• You were in a difficult situation and you handled it well.
• Great job. I’m really impressed.

Listening Challenge

In which country is the big boss of Tip Top Trading based?

Anna’s checking up on some orders today. As a result of some embarrassing mistakes in deliveries, Tip Top Trading’s big boss in America has ordered a re-check of every order this month. Let’s hear how she checks on things in the warehouse.

Language for checking information

This episode explores language for checking information.

Phrases from the programme:

• I just want to make sure that…
• Could you possibly clarify…
• I just want to check…
• Just to be absolutely clear…
• One thing I wasn’t sure of was…

Listening Challenge

Tom, Anna and Denise get together to share their ideas about Tip Top Trading’s upcoming launch, but they can’t agree on things! Anna’s ideas are met with some negative comments and she has to learn how to disagree with the other’s viewpoint in a confident but polite manner.

Language for disagreeing

This episode explores language to use when you want to disagree with somebody else’s ideas and put forward your viewpoint..